Mark Warner

The least surprising result of the night is now official: Democrat Mark Warner has defeated Jim Gilmore in Virginia, claiming the seat of retiring Republican Senator John Warner. Mark Warner, a mega-popular former governor who was ready to run for president this year until Barack Obama unexpectedly showed interest in the race during the fall of 2006, led by close to 30 points for virtually the entire campaign.

Democrats still need to pick up eight more Senate seats tonight to reach the coveted 60-seat mark. None (except for New Mexico, where Tom Udall is all but certain to trounce Republican Steve Pearce for a G.O.P.-held seat) should be as easy for them as Virginia just was.

Determining when the 2008 presidential race actually began is an inexact science, but a strong case can be made for the early summer of 2004. John Kerry and George W. Bush were locked in a tight battle in that year’s election, but several developments back then set in place some of the fundamental dynamics that have defined the campaign that now, nearly four and a half years later, is finally coming to an end.

The first was Kerry’s effort to entice John McCain to run with him on the Democratic ticket. Today, it seems ludicrous that Kerry would have considered this, that McCain might have been interested, and that the Democratic Party would have gone along with it.  read more »

A quick review of the most prominently featured speakers over the first three days of the Democratic convention – which ones helped, which ones hurt, and which ones did neither.  read more »

As in 2004, the three broadcast networks ignored the keynote address at the Democratic nomination, sticking with their usual prime-time entertainment line-ups in the 9:00 to 10:00 hour.

That created an extra challenge for Mark Warner, this year's keynote speaker, to make his address so compelling that the networks would end up talking about it and running clips from it anyway. That's what Barack Obama did as the keynoter the last time around, marking the first time in modern convention history that the most memorable speech of the entire week was delivered to such a small television audience.

That was probably an unfair and maybe even impossible standard for Warner to meet - and not surprisingly, he didn't meet it.  read more »

Suddenly, the decision to anoint former Virginia Governor Mark Warner as this year's keynote speaker doesn't seem that wise.

Warner will address the convention between 9:00 and 10:00 (E.S.T.) tonight, the main non-Hillary Clinton event of the night. On paper, he's a logical pick–a moderate former business executive who won massive popularity in red-state Virginia by shying away from overtly partisan rhetoric and themes, winning many Republican admirers in the process. He's running for the Senate this year against Jim Gilmore, but almost certainly won't even break a sweat; it's probably the least competitive open-seat race in the country.  read more »

Quick question: Will the broadcast networks – all of which shunned Barack Obama's keynote address in 2004 only to end up talking about him for the rest of the week (not to mention the next four years) – rethink their policy and air Virginia Governor Mark Warner's keynote address tomorrow night, even though it is scheduled for before the 10:00 p.m. window? 

Earlier this week, I wrote about the recent history of Democratic convention keynote speakers and how many had gone on to national prominence, and even – in the case of 2004 keynoter Barack Obama – to a future Democratic nomination. This track record is partly attributable to the actual speeches that were delivered (particularly in the cases of Obama and Mario Cuomo), but also to common sense: The keynote slot tends to go to promising leaders who are seen as representing the future of the party.

Not surprisingly, then, the man who is scheduled to deliver this year’s keynote address, former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, now finds himself  read more »

You’ve probably seen the news that Mark Warner, the former Virginia governor and the odds-on favorite to replace John Warner in the Senate next year, has been tapped to deliver the keynote address at the upcoming Democratic convention.

It’s causing a mild stir because many believed that the keynote slot had already been given to Hillary Clinton, who is slated to speak on the same night (Tuesday) as Warner. So is this a slap in the face to Clinton and her supporters?

Probably not. The fact is that Clinton’s speech, whether it’s marketed as the keynote address or note, will be delivered in the plum 10:00 P.  read more »

This post has it right: No one saw this one coming. Senator Jim Webb, the former Republican and Reagan-era Navy secretary who has been touted as the perfect tough-guy complement to Barack Obama, unexpectedly and very publicly withdrew his name from VP consideration today.

The most immediate beneficiary of this could be Tim Kaine, the first-term governor of Virginia, which has emerged as perhaps the preeminent swing state of this cycle. Republicans have carried it in every election since 1964, but the Old Dominion's demographic evolution strongly favors the Democrats. Polls this year have shown Obama even with -- or even slightly ahead of -- John McCain.  read more »

Three months ago, I picked up some chatter from supporters and associates of former Virginia Governor Mark Warner about the possibility that he might end up as Barack Obama's running-mate. Apparently, Robert Novak is hearing the same thing.  read more »

To the early list of possible running-mates if Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee, add Mark R. Warner.

Warner is a frighteningly logical pick for the VP spot, with the seemingly insurmountable catch that he committed to running for U.S. Senate from Virginia as soon as Republican John Warner announced his retirement in early September.

But apparently, there’s some wiggle room there.  read more »

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 10—If the receptions Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton respectively received at a gathering of influential Democrats last night in Richmond is any indication, Clinton is in for another tough result when Virginia holds its primary on Tuesday.

The stark difference in enthusiasm was noticeable even in passing. Outside the Stuart C. Siegel Center, which played host to the Jefferson-Jackson dinner, a couple hundred of Obama supporters beating drums, wearing paper Obama masks and holding giant white letters spelling Obama’s name urged passing cars to honk. Many of them did.

A quieter group of Hillary supporters had less success.  read more »

Go ahead and scratch Mark Warner from the V.P. short-list.  read more »

With John Warner gobbling up headlines, it’s a good time to return to the question of his political future – namely, does the 80-year-old Republican have one?

The betting for some time now is that he doesn’t, and that he will hang it up next year when his fifth terms expires. Certainly, his almost non-existent fundraising ($500 in the first quarter of this year) encourages that talk, not to mention the fact that he lost his Armed Services Committee chairmanship when the Democrats reclaimed the Senate in January.

He’s been coy publicly, but it would be truly stunning if he opts to run again. When he does make his retirement official, it will set off what could be the hottest Senate race in the country in ’08.

Virginia, which last voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in 1964, is a newly-minted swing state. Sweeping demographic changes in the Washington, D.C. suburbs have essentially split the state into two political regions – the fast-growing Democratic north, and the traditionally conservative southern and western areas. Since 2001, Democrats have won three of four statewide elections, and the national party is primed to target the Old Dominion’s 13 electoral votes in 2008.

(More after the jump)   read more »

Steve Kornacki has a long column today on the reemergence of Mark Warner, the former Virginia governor who dropped out of the presidential race last year, ostensibly because he didn't want to put the strain on his family. With rumors abounding that Senator John Warner might step aside, the other, younger, Democratic Warner is sending unambiguous signals that he's ready to get back in the game. Which will only serve to stoke the suspicions--never substaintiated in any way--that his decision to leave the presidential race before it even got started was somewhat more complicated than its been publicly portrayed.

Former 2008 presidential contender Mark Warner has been flirting from the stump these days. But with whom?  read more »

Every four years, a special class of candidates emerges from among the contestants in the Presidenti  read more »

Hillary Clinton reportedly hired Mike Henry, who served as field coordinator for Gov. Mark Warner in 2001 and managed a senate race in Florida.

Hotline looks at the operatives who are free agents now that Evan Bayh has dropped out.

Andrew Cuomo is already the state's attorney general, according to this site.

The host of Inside Albany will retire on December 31.

Joe Bruno wants to start the selection process over again for picking a new franchise to run horse racing in the state.

An Assemblyman responded to The Albany Project's emails about reform with snail mail.

Rock Hackshaw wonders if the Clarkes can pick their successor for City Council.

Is incumbency protection organized crime?

Hillary caused a stir when she appeared at Hunter College.

Kos has a a list of rules"primary campaign blog disclosure" just in time for the run-up to 2008.

And above is a painting in City Hall of Henry Clay (1777-1852) that looks oddly like someone currently in City Hall.

-- Azi Paybarah

Mark Warner's departure is good news for Hillary Clinton.

The Albany District Attorney is investigating Alan Hevesi's use of a state employee as a personal chauffeur.

While in New Hampshire, Rudy Giuliani hedges on when he'll decide to run for president.

Daily News looks at the upcoming debates between Andrew Cuomo and Jeanine Pirro. On its editorial page, the paper writes:

Were chutzpah the primary ingredient for political success, Jeanine Pirro would levitate to the office of New York State attorney general, for she has shown the audacity to air a campaign ad that's more mind-boggling than any stunt on "Fear Factor."

The Times looks at Pirro's record as the Westchester District Attorney.

The Times Real Estate section looks at George Pataki's 300-acre farm in Essex, and says it "is particularly gorgeous."

At yesterday's debate in Buffalo, John Faso said Eliot Spitzer was "asleep at the switch," and "has no business talking about campaign-finance reform." Spitzer said Faso "loves to defend corporate corruption." More on the debate here, here, here and here.

Albany is the lobbying capital of the world.

The City's only Republican congressman gets a failing grade from the League of Conservation Voters.

-- Azi Paybarah

Liz does the math and figures there are 18 lobbyist per lawmaker in Albany.

Hillary explains when torture is okay.

Evan Bayh responds [pdf] to Mark Warner's withdrawal from the presidential race.

Con Ed says the blackout in Queens was not their fault. Queens Assemblyman Mike Gianaris and other electeds respond [link fixed].

Long Island Rep. Peter King is in a statistical dead heat with his challenger, Dave Meijas.

Jerry Skurnik sees parallels between Karl Rove and Joe Torre.

Andrew Cuomo gets endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters.  read more »

And pictured above is Mark Warner.

-- Azi Paybarah

Who wins and loses now that Mark Warner is out?

Ben says Hillary ultimately, but focus now shifts to Al Gore and Barack Obama.

Stefan Friedman of Knickerbocker SKD agrees with Ben about Hillary, but tells me he thinks Evan Bayh and John Edwards get the boost. [added]

The Fix says Bayh is the obvious winner.

Andrew Sullivan, who isn't surprised about Warner's announcement, says the field is now Clinton, Gore, John Kerry and John Edwards.

And Joseph Mercurio sides with Sullivan, saying Warner wasn't a top-tier contender in the first place.

-- Azi Paybarah

Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner will not run for president in 2008, a senior advisor to his campaign confirmed this morning. Warner was considered a potential rival to Hillary Clinton when it came to capturing moderate and centrist Democratic voters. Donors and Democratic strategists were intrigued by the idea that, as a southern governor with the proven ability to reach across party lines, he would have been a more palatable and plausible candidate in a general election.

"He has been saying for more than a year that he was going to take a serious look at this thing and then make a decision," said a senior aide to Warner, who said he was asked not to make on the record comments until Warner made his announcement at 11 am. "Ultimately it was a personal consideration."

The source dismissed the idea that Clinton, with her enormous name recognition and reserves of cash, scared Warner off the campaign trail.

"He has a deep and healthy respect for her as a person and a potential candidate," said the source. "But no, none of this was driven by her, shying away from her or anyone else."

Warner, the source said, "is determined to stay in the public and political arena. He is certainly not ruling out a later run for electoral office."

UPDATE: Warner speaks: "while politically this appears to be the right time for me to take the plunge--at this point, I want to have a real life."

Message after the jump.  read more »

--Jason Horowitz

In suit pants too short and black boots too polished, Al Gore stepped haltingly to the podium of the  read more »

Like some aspiring small-town actor called back for an audition, Mark Warner returned to New York la  read more »

We interrupt our holiday hiatus to bring you this exclusive Rev. Al update:

Sharpton waded once again into the murky waters of the 11th District controversy at a private event last night, accusing David Yassky of reviving racial politics before going on to criticize Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and Mark Warner for failing to prioritize the issue of poverty.

Speaking in the tony surroundings of the Princeton Club, where he addressed a meeting of New York's Oxonian Society, Sharpton restated his core position on the 11th - that Yassky has the right to run, but that the three African-American contenders should "consolidate" around one candidate.

"I think that some of what the candidate did, the white candidate, was cynical," Sharpton said.

"He did not live in the district. I think he saw an opportunity there to come in and try to get a solid vote from the white [sic] and some blacks and win. If he thought he was qualified to go to Congress, he should have ran where he lived. He moved into the district, and caused this kind of racial political revival.

"I just think we ought to be politically savvy enough not to allow the scenario that I feel [Yassky's] advisors saw become reality by having a divided black vote," he said.

During the hour-long event, Sharpton also excoriated the frontrunners for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination for what he contended was their abject failure to address the issue of poverty.

"If you listen to all the names that are out there now - Warner, Hillary, all of them - what are their programs on poverty? What are they saying about poverty? It is almost unthinkable that you would have an opposition party that has no plan to deal with poverty and [is] not even talking about it."

The last Democratic candidate for president also wound up in Sharpton's sights:

"I could not believe that after the primaries, we couldn't even get John Kerry to mention the word 'poor'," he exclaimed at one point.

One audience member asked the activist whether he would be running again for the presidential nomination in 2008.

"I haven't decided," came the reply.

Sharpton, who spoke at length about how morality has come to be defined in American politics, also had harsh words about the response of some other high-profile clergymen to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

"Certainly, I thought my friend and colleague Jerry Falwell would rush to a studio and raise the moral issue of Americans dying," he said with heavy sarcasm. "Certainly Pat Robertson, who has his own network, would have cancelled programs and delayed selling bibles and prayer cloths to raise the question of people drowning in an American city.

"This kind of selective morality to me came front and center in the Katrina catastrophe."

-- Niall Stanage

As part of our continuing, exhaustive (exhausting?) series on Mark Warner in New York, here's a write-up from Observer contributor Niall Stanage on an event that was covered by him and one Japanese reporter and, as far as Niall could tell, no one else:

Addressing the annual dinner of the Japan Society at the Hilton Hotel, Mark Warner delivered a speech that borrowed much of its lexicon and its worldview from Sen. Clinton's husband, emphatically underlining his centrist credentials.

At times, it could almost have been the former president at the lectern. Warner spoke frequently of an "interconnected" and interdependent world.

In a supremely Clintonian formulation, he asserted that the current moment held "tremendous" opportunities, "but only if we see the key questions of our day . . .are no longer based on the ideological fault lines of the past: left versus right, liberal versus conservative, or even open versus closed markets. Issues must be looked at through the prism of the future versus the past."

A lack of foreign policy experience could clearly be a weakness if Warner presses ahead with a presidential bid. He seemed intent on dispelling any impression of ignorance or naiveté last night.

More after the jump.  read more »

Well, Al Gore might have invented the information super highway, but Mark Warner is here to save it, or at least remove some potential government roadblocks. Here , fresh off his visit to New York, Warner weighs in on net neutraility. - Jason Horowitz

And while we're on the subject of Iraq...

Virginia's former governor, Mark Warner, has been on the faux-campaign trail for '08 for some time now, and talked a couple of nights ago at a DL21C event -- part of the group's 'Eye on 2008' Speaker Series -- about about what he'd like the country to be doing about Iraq and Iran.

He told a receptive audience that the new Iraqi government has a period of "six to nine months" to reach a level of stability, but also said that "this is never going to happen to a level of stability so we can exit until Iraq's neighbor's are brought to the table as well."

He didn't talk as much about what happens if the Iraqi government falls apart and if Iraq's regional neighbors want no part of cleaning up the mess.

On Iran, Warner advocated a sort of aggressive multilateralism, saying, "we absolutely must rally the world in a concerted effort to stop Iranian expansionism." And he praised the Bush administration's recent decision to negotiate with Iran.  read more »

Fuller comments, for anyone interested, after the jump.

—Nicole Brydson CLARIFICATION: As noted in the comments section, but which we may not have made clear enough in the original post, this was a DL21C event and not a Warner fundraiser.

While New York is generally considered a Hillary Clinton town when it comes to fund-raising for the 2008 presidential campaign, at least one of her potential rivals has begun his own nice little trade in New York dollars. According to today's New York Post, former Virginia Governor Mark Warner's Forward Together PAC has raised $307,150 in New York this year. Among the donors? Four Bronfmans and a Ford (as in the modeling agency, not the car manufacturer). —Lizzy Ratner

The New York Times Magazine cover is the Charlize Theron of magazine publishing: Famous people becom  read more »

I look at Chuck Schumer's central role in stopping the Dubai ports deal. Jason Horowitz wonders how firm Bloomberg II's control of the city is.

Gabe Sherman has two nice political stories on the Times beat. The paper, he reports, is assigning yet another reporter, Anne Kornblut to the Hillary beat. Her beat seems to be Hillary's presidential campaign, now becoming -- in media eyes, at least -- more an assumption than a question.

Also from Sherman: Mark Warner's people aren't so happy about the Times Magazine's technicolor, Mr. Ed-like depiction of their "handsome" candidate on last week's cover. Matt Schuerman sees control of Ground Zero flowing away from Pataki, and already toward Spitzer. And Joe Conason points out the difficult questions facing supporters of South-Dakota style total abortion bans: Do exceptions for make any sense? And are the authorities going to arrest patients?

This Sunday's Times Magazine isn't online yet, but The Politicker got an early look at the grinning-Mark-Warner cover and the cover story, by Matt Bai. He portrays Warner as the likeliest anti-Hillary, and as a talented guy who's not quite ready for prime time, and apparently unwilling to take the only path Bai sees as a potential winner: running against the establishment.

Bai notes Hillary's strength, and Warner's consequent weakness, with African-American voters, and quotes Joe Trippi on Warner's hopes: "It's not possible.... The way for Mark Warner? Leave the freakin' party." (Of course, Trippi would say that.) Bai also notes that Warner is running as Bill Clinton '92; but Clinton was lucky enough to have that year's New York superstar, Mario Cuomo, get out of the way.

Also: Is March 2006 the month you really want to be the flavor of?

In the piece, Warner doesn't engage Hillary directly, though Bai gives it a shot:

Is Clinton, I asked Warner, and "electable" Democrat? "I think she's a very strong senator," he said slowly, pausing several times. "And I think what she showed in New York was an ability to really make her case among people who might not intiallly be supportive."

We stared at each other. "O.K.," I said. "But is she electable?"

"If she decides to run, she'll be the frontrunner," Warner replied carefully.

Quinnipiac's "National Thermometer" poll is out today. It's something like what traditional pollsters call a "net favorable" rating, only conducted by asking participants to rate politicians betwen 0 and 100 on a "feeling thermometer."

The results are bizarre, and favor people nobody's ever heard of -- Mark Warner and Russ Feingold match Hillary simply by clustering around the "50" mark, which in their case reflects obscurity, but in hers polarization.

Grumble grumble. We report, you decide.

(1)..Rudolph Giuliani.........................63.5

(2) Barack Obama.............................59.9

(3) John McCain..............................59.7 (4) Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice......57.1

(5) President Bill Clinton...................56.1

(6) Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards..50.8

(7) Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner.........50.7

(8) New York Sen. Hillary Clinton............50.4 (9) Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold.............49

(10) Virginia Sen. George Allen...............48.6